On March 18, 2026, the MGB VII Training Hall in Banilad buzzed with a different kind of energy as employees gathered for a National Women’s Month seminar titled “Kababaihan: Leading the Way in Sustainable Waste Management.” Organized by the Gender and Development (GAD) and the Finance and Admin Office, the event ran from early morning through lunch, focusing on empowering employees with practical tools to tackle the waste crisis, starting at their own desks and doorsteps. The seminar aligned with the national theme, “WE for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society,” highlighting that women are not just participants but primary agents of environmental change.

The event opened with an inspiring welcome message from OIC Regional Director Al Emil G. Berador, who framed the seminar as a call to transformative leadership. He reminded the audience that in Philippine history, the Babaylan were the respected leaders, healers, and keepers of the community’s well-being.

“It is in this spirit of transformative leadership that we organized today’s seminar,” RD Berador shared. “Recognizing that women often serve as the primary managers of household resources, we believe that providing you with the right tools in waste management is vital. By reclaiming the ‘Babaylan’ spirit, we empower you not only to manage waste but also to lead your communities toward a more sustainable and inclusive future.”

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴

The morning session was facilitated by Mr. Ivan Dale Georsua, a Waste Management Expert from the Environmental Management Bureau (EMB) 7. Rather than focusing solely on technical jargon, Mr. Georsua translated environmental laws into simple, everyday actions.

The discussion centered on a vital shift in mindset: “Pre-cycling.” This approach encourages individuals to consider the waste a product will generate before making a purchase or ordering food. To bridge the gap between listening and doing, the session concluded with a group activity.

This hands-on workshop challenged participants to demonstrate their mastery of waste categorization. Working in teams, attendees sorted a variety of common household and office materials—ranging from compostables and recyclables to residuals—demonstrating they already possess the skills to implement these changes immediately.

𝗔 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

MGB 7 participants expressed their gratitude, noting that the interactive workshop made it much clearer how to properly categorize waste. For many, the session made the “3Rs” (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) feel less like a government mandate and more like a practical way to simplify and improve their daily lives.

The message of the day was clear: sustainable waste management is a shared journey. Whether it is through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, which holds companies accountable, or the small, daily choices made by MGB 7 employees, every action counts toward addressing the country’s plastic waste challenges. (Heart Rizarri/IO)